Upgrading vCenter Server

This section describes upgrading vCenter Server. To upgrade the vCenter Server appliance, follow this procedure.

The vCenter Server upgrade from version 6.0 to version 6.5 is a two-stage process.

• Stage 1: Deploy a new vCenter Server appliance to the target. Deploy a new appliance to the target vCenter Server or ESXi host.

• Stage 2: Copy data from the source vCenter Server appliance. Complete the upgrade process by copying data from the source appliance to the deployed appliance.

Note:

• VMware vSphere Update Manager is now embedded in the vCenter Server Appliance version 6.5.

• vCenter Update Manager is unavailable after upgrading to vCenter Server Appliance 6.5. For more details, see VMware Knowledge Base article 60430.

Prerequisites

• Ensure that you backed up all data on the source appliance before starting the upgrade.

• Prerequisites for Upgrading the vCenter Server Appliance or Platform Services Controller Appliance.

• Migration Assistant should be running inside the Windows-based vCenter Server and Update Manager. See Download and Run VMware Migration Assistant on the Source Windows Machine.

Procedure

1. Upgrade vCenter Server Appliance from version 6.0 to 6.5. For more information, see GUI Migration of vCenter Server with an External vCenter Single Sign-On or Platform Services Controller to an Appliance.
   1. Download the VMware VCSA 6.5 ISO Appliance build from my.vmware.com.
   2. Mount the ISO and navigate to the vcsa-ui-installer directory. Start the installer by double-clicking the Installer file.
   3. Click Upgrade on the 6.5 Installer page.
2. Migrate Windows-based vCenter Server 6.0 to Appliance-based vCenter Server 6.5. For more information, see Migrating vCenter Server for Windows to vCenter Server Appliance.
   1. Download the VMware VCSA 6.5 ISO Appliance from my.vmware.com.
   2. Mount the ISO and navigate to the vcsa-ui-installer directory. Start the installer by double-clicking the Installer file.
   3. Click Migrate on the 6.5 Installer page.